My 3 month update!
I am back to work full time and pleasantly surprised to report no problems with the long hours or the dreaded stairs. Oh I’m taking my time going up and down of course! Co-workers have been great allowing me to sit during rounds and occasionally will run ahead in emergencies to cover for me until I get there. I keep an ice bag filled and still elevate my leg and ice whenever I get a break.
My friends and coworkers have remarked that my walking pace has really picked up in the past week. Well of course only after I’ve walked off the initial monster walk stiffness! My best friend and walking partner who patiently walked with me from 1 week post op to now is so happy to be able to go a little faster now.
She never admitted to it but I know until recently she would say good bye and then go get a good walk in without me!
The stairs are still my nemesis!! Still stiffen up immediately if I try going up or down reciprocally. Augh I’m not going to fight them anymore. I just know one day I’ll tackle them.
I haven’t needed to take any OTC pain relievers for my knee in a few days so that’s
awesome.
My only health scare this week was a nagging jaw pain after chomping on almonds that ended up being an old root canal tooth infection (had to start Clindamycin) with a fractured root
so needed a tooth extraction and bone graft 2 days ago in preparation for tooth implant in a few months. (My year of implants
) I’ve never had a tooth extraction so that threw me into a panic and I was paralyzed with fear that the infection could travel to my new knee. But after researching for hours I was reassured to find that studies show oral bacteria are not causes of implant infections. Thank you
@Celle! you mentioned that to another member and my oral surgeon confirmed it. Boy was I scared dealing with that this week! My OS recommends the 2 yr pretreatment with antibiotics for dental procedures (Clindamycin for me with PCN allergy. So lots of yogurt and probiotics
) but the oral surgeon shared with me the latest research showing that’s no longer necessary. I’m not sure if I’m brave enough to not take the prophylaxis until more definitive studies convince the ADA. BUT NO more chomping almonds for me again!
One good thing... I had absolutely no pain after the extraction and graft! Still don’t! I’m wondering if TKR’ers just have higher pain thresholds afterwards
???
And
@Softtail you are so dear!! My left knee is holding up! It crunches like bone breaking when I’m on the stairs but it’s not bothering me too much. Xrays showed that there’s early arthritis but not bone on bone yet. So I’m still good!! I know you’ll fly with the 2nd knee! You have the perfect attitude!! I’m going to need you when I face having to do it again.
I’m so much better now at 3 months than I ever could have imagined! Thank you all for constantly reminding me that I would get better. I really didn’t believe it at 5 weeks.
Happy Christmas and New Year to all!:dancing: Carrie